Well, Ralph and I--"
"Are you going to marry Ralph Hammond, Penny?" Dundee interrupted, as if
prompted by casual interest.
Penny's pale face flushed vividly. "No. I'm not in love with him, and
I'm sure he realizes I'm not and won't ask me again. But I _had_ to say
yes Sunday! I simply couldn't let you walk in on us, after I'd permitted
you to eavesdrop while he was talking, without first saying the one
thing that would convince him that I believed in his innocence and
hadn't set a trap for him."
"I see!" Dundee acknowledged soberly, but his blue eyes shone
with sudden joy. "Oh! There's long distance! Just a minute,
darling!... Hello! Hello!... Yes, this is Dundee.... Oh! All right!
Try again in fifteen minutes, will you?" He hung up the receiver and
explained to Penny: "Sanderson hasn't reached the hospital yet, but is
expected soon.... Go on with your story.... Who all played bridge at
the Mileses'? You don't mean to say Dexter Sprague was invited, too!"
Penny's face was still a brilliant pink as she answered: "I refuse to
have my climax spoiled!... When Ralph and I got there at eight, we found
that Peter and Lois had dined with Tracey and Flora and that they were
delighted at the prospect of bridge, as a relief from endless
discussions of the murder.
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